Archery bow string draw and release device

ABSTRACT

An archery bow string release is provided which includes a string draw and release mechanism which is pivotally mounted to a handle member by a universal pivot such as a ball joint. The bow string draw and release device has only one pivoted arm that is biased into engagement with an immovably fixed jaw so as to retain a bow string therebetween. The fixed jaw has a straight jaw that permits a bow string to move when released in a forward direction without any interruptions. The biased jaw has a forward end portion that presents the only inpediment to a drawn bow string.

United States Patent Plumb 1451 June 27, 1972 [54] ARCHERY BOW STRING DRAW AND 211 App]. No.2 76,861

[52] US. Cl ..l24/35, 124/30 R, 33/46 A, 273/DIG. 6 [51] Int. Cl. ..F4lc 19/00, F410 11/02 [58] Field of Search "12 4/35 R, 31,23, 17, 20 R,

2,965,093 12/1960 Arsenault ,.124/35 229,089 6/1880 Burnham 1 24/35 2,417,791 3/1947 Tyszkiewicz 1 24/35 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne AttorneySchroeder, Siegfried & Ryan [57] ABSTRACT An archery bow string release is provided which includes a string draw and release mechanism which is pivotally mounted to a handle member by a universal pivot such as a ball joint. The bow string draw and release device has only one pivoted arm that is biased into engagement with an immovably fixed jaw so as to retain a bow string therebetween. The fixed jaw has a straight jaw that permits a bow string to move when released in a forward direction without any interruptions. The biased jaw has a forward end portion that presents the only inpediment to a drawn bow string.

ARCHERY BOW STRING DRAW AND RELEASE DEVICE The present invention is directed to an archery bow string draw and release arrangement. More particularly, it is directed to such an arrangement which supplements the human hand in such a manner as to provide for ready instruction in the use of a bow and arrow, as well as obtaining greater accuracy on the part of the user.

Prior art bow string draw and release mechanisms have utilized a wide variety of arrangements for holding the bow string and, in some instances, the bow string and the nock of the arrow. Insofar as I am aware, all of the prior art devices have lacked recognition of two important features provided by my invention which are necessary to achieve the greatest possible accuracy on the part of the user of a mechanical device. The two features referred to are, first, that the string, when released, does not shift to the side of its normal course of return to the rest position, nor be twisted about its own longitudinal axis by the release mechanism; and second, that the mechanical arrangement utilized for holding the string be of a nature so as to prevent misalignment of the mechanical apparatus from the desired direction of arrow flight.

In accordance with my invention, both of these difficulties have been overcome. The first difficulty is overcome in that the string gripping portion of the catch and release mechanism in accordance with my invention provides for a straight sided smooth surface for the string to slide along as it is released, thus avoiding any lateral thrust onto the string. The tendency to twist the string at the moment of release is also substantially overcome. The problem of alignment is to a large degree overcome through the use of a ball joint junction between the substantially vertical hand grip portion of the assembly and the string engaging catch and release mechanism. The universal pivot,which may be a ball joint, provides a'means whereby any tendency to introduce misalignment on the part of the user of the device is overcome by the ready self-adjusting fea tures of the ball joint.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in phantom, of a bow string draw and release in accordance with the invention;

, FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the bow string engaging portion of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

In the discussion which follows, like portions will be identified in the various views by the same numerals.

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated in side elevational view a bow string draw and release apparatus in accordance with the invention. The handle member 10, which has been shaped to conform generally to the human hand, has an opening 11 extending laterally therethrough. A portion of the opening is formed so as to present a spherical section surface for bearing engagement with a similar surface on the bow string catch and release portion of the overall apparatus.

Extending through opening 11 is the bow string catch and release portion of the overall apparatus generally identified 12. A main jaw member 13 is provided which has a rearward portion thereof shaped in a portion of a sphere adapted to conform to and be in slidable engagement with the spherical surface of opening 11 in handle member 10. The main body of member 13 is of a cross section at the point that it passes into opening 11 to permit a significant degree of freedom about all axes with relation to its movement with respect to member 10.

Member 13, which forms one of the jaws of a string engaging arrangement, has a longitudinal slot 14 extending along a major portion thereof. Member 13 is also provided with a recessed region 15 interior of said slot 14 to hold a spring member 16 for purposes which will be explained.

A second jaw member 17 is pivotally positioned by means of a pin 18 within the slot of jaw 13.

The forward portion of jaw 13 has a straight side 19 provided by a relieved portion and this portion cooperates with a bead member 20 attached to the end of jaw 17 to provide a closure for the bow string 21. It should be appreciated that the surface 19 is straight along the axis of the direction of motion of the string upon release.

It can now be appreciated that spring 16 provides a bias which normally turns jaw 17 about pivot 18 so as to provide for a contact between bead 20 and surface 19. Such a spring arrangement is not, however, sufficiently strong to prevent release of the string.

At the rear portion of member 12, it can be seen that the rear portion of jaw member 17 is restrained from moving into slot 14 by a detent means which is shown as trigger 22. Trigger 22 is pivotally mounted in a slot 23 in the rearward portion of assembly 12 by means of a pivot 24. A spring member 25 positioned within the rear portion of member 12 operates to normally bias the trigger member 22 in a direction blocking rotation of jaw 17 further into the slot 14. Member 22 is adapted to be moved about a vertical axis through pin 24 by means of the users thumb. A spring 25 biases trigger 22 to the position shown in FIG. 1.

General operation of the device is now believed apparent. By pressing trigger 22 downwardly with the users thumb, the rear portion of jaw member 17 is permitted to pivot about pin 18 further into opening 14. This motion opens a space between bead 20 and the wall 19 to permit entry into the cavity of the bow string 21. After entry of the bow string 21 into the region defined by 19 and bead 20, the jaw 17 is allowed to close through the bias of spring 16, thus holding the string in place. Release of trigger 22 to its normal biased position acts as a block to movement of jaw 17. Tension can then be applied to string 21 by drawing the entire assembly back away from the bow. At the point when it is desired to release the bow string, the user depresses trigger 22, thus removing the obstacle to rotation of jaw 17 into notch 14. An escape opening is thus provided for the string 21, which slides along the straight surface of side 19 out through the opening.

A further feature of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein jaw member 17 is indicated as having notches or reliev'ed portions 28 provided on the upper surface thereof. The purpose of this relieved portion 28 is to provide a detent position for trigger 22 to rest in, thus holding the jaw members apart to permit easy engagement of string 21 within the cavity defined by the jaws. Once the string is positioned within the proper position, a press of trigger 22 will release jaw 17 to secure the string in position until it is desired to be released at a later time.

Also illustrated in the figures is a rear peep sight 26 which has been mounted onto member 13. The spacing of the peep sight 26 will be forward far enough from the handle 10 to give eye relief. This is indicated by the discontinuity of the mounting means for sight 26. The vertical portion is advantageously threaded to fit into a threaded opening in the horizontal portion of the sight. A peep sight of this type is particularly advantageous in the construction of my invention, as the universal aligning features of the ball joint arrangement markedly decrease any tendency for there to be a misalignment between the pulling arrangement for the string and the direction of arrow flight.

The materials to be used in the construction of an apparatus in accordance with the above description will most typically be of metals such as steel. In order to provide the desired degree of low friction movement, one can coat the movable portions of the device with some relatively low friction material such as Nylon or Teflon. It is not required that the assemblies be constructed of metal, however. One can manufacture the assembly from a high-strength plastic material.

It should be apparent that the unit in accordance with my invention can readily be used either by a right or a left-handed individual in the position shown. As the ball joint is free to rotate the user can, if he so desires, position the release jaws so that the relative location of surface 19 is the same for either right or left-handed users. Of course, if the user inverts assembly 12, the trigger 22 would be pressed in the opposite direction from that illustrated. Also, the sight 26 would then be threaded into the opposite side of the horizontal arm portion.

In order to bias the catch and release portion 12 into engagement with the ball joint surface I provide a series of openings 27 alignable with one another through which a resilient means such as a rubber band may extend, thereby restraining the handle and draw and release assembly 12 from separating.

l claim:

1. A bow string draw and release assembly comprising:

a. a handle member adapted to be gripped by the human hand; b. catch and release means for releasably engaging a bow string means; c. said catch and release means having a portion remote from said first end and a portion of said handle member cooperating to form a universal pivot, said universal pivot joining said handle and said catch and release means, and a portion of said catch and release means remote from said first end cooperating with said handle member and forming a connection therebetween, said connection comprising a means for permitting said handle member to pivot freely within a first plane substantially perpendicular to the line of draw of a bow string and to also permit said handle member to have limited pivotal movement in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

2. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said universal pivot is a ball joint.

3. An assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein said handle member has an opening therethrough which forms the socket surface of the ball joint.

4. An assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein the catch and release means includes a first jaw, a second jaw pivotally joined to said first jaw, the forward portions of said jaws when closed defining a region for engaging a bow string, detent means biasing said second jaw towards a closed position, and means for releasably locking said jaws in a closed position.

5. An assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein a rear portion of said first jaw has a spherical section adapted to pivotally engage the socket surface of the handle member,

thereby forming said ball joint.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for releasably locking said jaws is a pivoted lever arm and said second jaw has a relieved region adapted to cooperate with said arm to hold said jaws in a releasably open position.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein a forward portion of said first jaw forming a string engaging surface of said first jaw has a straight side in the direction of motion of said how string when released.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second jaw has a head on the forward portion thereof which defines with said first jaw the string engaging region.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a sight is mounted to the catch and release means.

10. A bow string catch and release assembly comprising a first jaw, a second jaw pivotally joined to said first jaw, said first jaw formed by a straight wall surface of said assembly, said first jaw being immovably fixed relative to said assembly, forward portions of said jaws when closed defining a region for engaging a bow string,, said second jaw having a lateral projection from the forward end of the jaw which engages a bow string, said second jaw being in mating engagement with the first jaw when a bow string is gripped, detent means for locking said jaws in a closed position until release is desired, said second jaw providing the sole impediment for a drawn bow string in the direction of bow string release, said second jaw being an elongated plate like member and being pivoted about a vertical axis from a locked position wherein said second jaw engages the side of the locking means to an inlatched position wherein the second jaw underlies the locking means, spring means biasing said jaws in a closed position, said locking means being pivoted about a horizontal axis, and means for releasing said detent means to permit said jaws to open thereby releasing a bow string.

Patent No. 3L672, 346 Dated 6/27/72 Inventor(s) Robert D. Plumb It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below Column 3, line 9, after "string" insert --at a first end of said catch and release I Signed and sealed this law day of November 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. I ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A bow string draw and release assembly comprising: a. a handle member adapted to be gripped by the human hand; b. catch and release means for releasably engaging a bow string means; c. said catch and release means having a portion remote from said first end and a portion of said handle member cooperating to form a universal pivot, said universal pivot joining said handle and said catch and release means, and a portion of said catch and release means remote from said first end cooperating with said handle member and forming a connection therebetween, said connection comprising a means for permitting said handle member to pivot freely within a first plane substantially perpendicular to the line of draw of a bow string and to also permit said handle member to have limited pivotal movement in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.
 2. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said universal pivot is a ball joint.
 3. An assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein said handle member has an opening therethrough which forms the socket surface of the ball joint.
 4. An assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein the catch and release means includes a first jaw, a second jaw pivotally joined to said first jaw, the forward portions of said jaws when closed defining a region for engaging a bow string, detent means biasing said second jaw towards a closed position, and means for releasably locking said jaws in a closed position.
 5. An assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein a rear portion of said first jaw has a spherical section adapted to pivotally engage the socket surface of the handle member, thereby forming said ball joint.
 6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for releasably locking said jaws is a pivoted lever arm and said second jaw has a relieved region adapted to cooperate with said arm to hold said jaws in a releasably open position.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein a forward portion of said first jaw formiNg a string engaging surface of said first jaw has a straight side in the direction of motion of said bow string when released.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second jaw has a bead on the forward portion thereof which defines with said first jaw the string engaging region.
 9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a sight is mounted to the catch and release means.
 10. A bow string catch and release assembly comprising a first jaw, a second jaw pivotally joined to said first jaw, said first jaw formed by a straight wall surface of said assembly, said first jaw being immovably fixed relative to said assembly, forward portions of said jaws when closed defining a region for engaging a bow string,, said second jaw having a lateral projection from the forward end of the jaw which engages a bow string, said second jaw being in mating engagement with the first jaw when a bow string is gripped, detent means for locking said jaws in a closed position until release is desired, said second jaw providing the sole impediment for a drawn bow string in the direction of bow string release, said second jaw being an elongated plate like member and being pivoted about a vertical axis from a locked position wherein said second jaw engages the side of the locking means to an inlatched position wherein the second jaw underlies the locking means, spring means biasing said jaws in a closed position, said locking means being pivoted about a horizontal axis, and means for releasing said detent means to permit said jaws to open thereby releasing a bow string. 